The United National Transport Union (UNTU) announced on Friday that a runaway diesel locomotive on Thursday caused the tragic death of train driver and member Alexander Flemming.  

The tragic accident happened on the line from Rosmead to Beaconsfield in Kimberley in the Northern Cape.  Steve Harris, General Secretary of UNTU, said Mr. Flemming’s death was a great tragedy.  “It is every train driver’s biggest nightmare to be confronted with a runaway locomotive.  This is a freak accident and it does not happen often.  Transnet will now conduct an investigation and a board of inquiry will establish what happened and if anyone can be held accountable.”  Another train driver, Jan Swanepoel, who was injured in the accident, was taken to the nearest hospital in a critical condition.

• Read UNTU’s press statement at UNTU online

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